It’s not all doom and gloom, however. Middlesbrough are guaranteed a place in the Championship play-offs for the first time since being relegated six years ago following last night’s 2-1 win over Wolves.

And victory in their top of the table clash with Norwich at Carrow Road on Friday night would dramatically boost their chances of automatic promotion.

How good are Boro? On current form, they’d beat both their neighbours but how many of their players would win a place in a combined three of the region’s Big Three?

Starsport’s man in the region IAN MURTAGH picks his North East XI in another rollercoaster season for the country’s far outpost.

KEEPER: Tim Krul (Newcastle)

An area of comparative strength. Sunderland’s Costel Pantilimon has proved a shrewd buy while Boro’s 37-year-old Dimi Konstantopoulos’s rise from obscurity has been one of football’s fairytale stories this season but Krul gets the nod.

The Dutchman hasn’t been at his majestic best but is arguably among the Premier League’s top six keepers.

RIGHT BACK: Daryl Janmaat (Newcastle).

The Toon’s captain-in-waiting is a shoe-in. Superlatives haven’t been thrown around too often at St James’ Park this season but the former Feyenoord defender has been outstanding, even when switched to an unfamiliar role at the heart of defence.

No player has nailed down the right back slot at either Boro or Sunderland.

TOP PICK: Janmaat makes the cut [GETTY]

LEFT BACK: George Friend (Middlesbrough)

Boro fans love Friend for his barnstorming surges down the left flank but this season he’s proved just as effective shutting out opponents as supporting his own team-mates in attack.

Paul Dummett’s broken through at Newcastle but his future could be in the middle while Sunderland’s Patrick Van Aanholt for all his attacking enterprise must improve defensively.

No contest. Boro have the meanest defence in the Championship while their Tyne-Wear rivals are among the Premier League’s most porous backlines.

Jonathan Woodgate has shown his class whenever called upon but injuries have once again blighted his campaign. England Under 21 backman Gibson is a rising star while Ayala, despite injury troubles of his own, isn’t just an effective sidekick, he pops up with crucial goals too.

The less said about those central defenders further up the A19, the better!

If you haven’t seen Tomlin in action, you’re missing a treat. The former Peterborough forward is a thrilling sight at his best, patrolling the pocket just behind the front two. Hugely skilful, full of invention and capable of spectacular goals.

Patrick Bamford may be on loan from Chelsea but he’s been the North East’s top player this season with 17 goals so far and a handful of assists too.

Fast and furious with a liberal dash of flair, it sums up the state of football in the region that he’s not even one of our own.

The most controversial pick is the Toon’s Papiss Cisse, who has rarely been 100 per cent fit and is currently serving a ban for that spitting incident against Manchester United.

But the Senegal international’s goal ratio is among the best in the country. He’s scored 11 goals this term, most of them crucial, many from off the bench.